NORWICH — Getthere Mobility Management, a program through the Rural Health Network of South Central New York, is launching their new “Community Rides” program on Wednesday, December 29 at 9 a.m.

Community Rides will offer free transportation to individuals in the Norwich area. While similar to Getthere’s Connection to Care program, which offers transportation assistance to non-emergency medical appointments, Community Rides will take residents to appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, social events, and more.

“The goal is really for people to feel more connected to our community, which is something I think we all really need right now,” said Rural Health Network Project Coordinator Emma Nalin. “So the goal is to take one of the services that Getthere already sort of provides, with these rides to these health supportive destinations, and to expand it into something that is a little bit more on demand and responsive to when people need the service.”

Rides will be available every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and are open to all Norwich area residents. For information on the program or to request a ride, contact Roz DeRensis at the Getthere Call Center at 855-373-4040, and reference the Community Rides program.